WINDHOEK, 16 MAR – President Hage Geingob on Friday paid tribute to liberation icon and diplomat Nora Schimming-Chase, describing her as a vehement debater, a rare type of leader and an extraordinary patriot.
Speaking at Schimming-Chase’s memorial held at Parliament Gardens in the capital, Geingob said the late had lived a life worth celebrating.
“Ambassador Nora Schimming-Chase belonged to a rare breed of leaders with innate capacity of diplomacy and intellect that helped shape the path towards Namibia’s independence.”
Geingob said during her distinguished lifetime, the late politician served Namibia in an array of capacities until her last breath.
More often than not, African women have been overlooked in as far as the emancipation of Africa, Geingob continued.
“Our women are the mothers of our society. Therefore, lest we forget, they are fighters of freedom as well,” said Geingob, adding that Schimming-Chase sacrificed her personal comfort for Namibia’s independence.
Geingob remembered the fallen heroine as someone “who walked the talk”, alongside other “gallant daughters” such as Libertina Amathila who dared to dream of a free Namibia.
The Head of State noted, among other attributes, that Schimming-Chase was born a fighter.
“Today, we look back at the life of this extraordinary patriot of the Republic of Namibia,” said Geingob, before stating that she was a “comrade who rendered astonishing services” to the country.
Schimming-Chase believed in freedom as emancipation, he added.
“As an activist, she ventured out and actively fought to bring freedom to herself, her family and her beloved Namibia. More so, she was a goal-oriented individual who had robust leadership capabilities and political acumen,” said Geingob.
When independence dawned upon Namibia, Schimming-Chase commenced with her next journey, serving as under-secretary for multilateral affairs in the foreign affairs ministry.
The journey saw her appointed as Namibia’s ambassador to Germany in June 1992, “a position she served with distinction,” he said.
On the local political front, Geingob remembers Schimming-Chase as a debater who respected views that were contrary to that of herself.
Schimming-Chase died on Tuesday in the Paramount Private Hospital in Windhoek, aged 77.
She will be laid to rest on her farm, De Rust, in the Hardap Region on Saturday.
NAMPA
